LORA NORTHWAY

Arvokas (of great worth) is a solo exhibition of new works by Northwestern Ontario-based artist Lora Northway (HBFA-Lakehead University). Northway is inspired by period interiors including theater and dollhouse sets, as well as private interiors and landscapes, her stylistic references concentrate on Finnish craft, textile and folk art, with a local and contemporary vernacular. This series began with an investigation into her family’s immigration to Canada in 1901, when her great great grandmother Aina Wilen traveled from Finland at age 17 and became a key founder of the women’s movement in Thunder Bay. These paintings honour their lives and traditions with a goal of capturing that ineffable Finnish air of solitude and oneness with nature. The process of making is an important aspect of Northway’s work, which aims to explore the boundaries of drawing and sculpture; pushing materials as well as “display” to new limits. Northway is a well recognized artist and is responsible for organizing/curating the Die Active Art Collective, one of the largest new generation/youth collectives of its kind in Ontario. Northway is the recipient of many grants/awards including the Ontario Arts Council’s Creation Grant. Join us for the Gala Opening Reception featuring Art-Music and two coinciding shows, catered and cool winter refreshments, artist talks and more! Gallery 1